As another academic year begins and students go off to university, it was revealed that some students have gambling debts of up to £10,000. Ben Haden of the Gambling Commission appeared on the Victoria Derbyshire to discuss the topic and voice concerns about the impact gambling has on undergraduates with a representative of the National Union of Students (NUS).

Meanwhile Matt Zarb-Cousin discussed his own struggles with gambling, as he spoke to a problem gambler about his addiction whilst at university in a feature for BBC News.

Despite previous reports that Treasury may attempt to block a review into FOBT machines by the government, The Chancellor of the Exchequer this month has indicated that he will support the outcome of the review of high-stake gambling machines in betting shops, even if it reduces tax revenues.

Hammond was quoted as saying in a letter to the Bishop of St Albans, Alan Smith, who has been leading the opposition of FOBTs by the Church of England; “Both I and my department fully support DCMS’s work to ensure the UK’s gambling regime continues to balance the needs of vulnerable people, consumers who gamble responsibly, and those who work in this sector.”

As always, we have been hard at work writing on Politics Home Central Lobby to highlight the key issues currently being faced in the battle against FOBTs.

We discussed why we believe the 2005 Gambling Act is no longer fit for purpose following reports of online gambling firm 888 being handed a fine from the Gambling Commission for failing to uphold self-exclusion. The 2005 Gambling Act was from an analogue age, rather than the digital focussed age we now live in, and as a result is outdated.

In a month where the media focus on the fight against FOBTs seems to have intensified, we explained the changing dynamics of the FOBT and gambling media debate. Between the reports of Ladbrokes topping the British MP donation list, media appearances of the Campaign and reports on problem gambling there was much to discuss.

Campaign Spokesman Matt Zarb-Cousin had a busy month of media interviews discussing problem gambling, FOBTs and the campaign for a reduced maximum stake with the likes of BBC Radio 5 Live, talkRadio and Channel 4 News.